Inquest into the Death of Andrew Sinclair GRAHAM

Inquest into the Death of Andrew Sinclair GRAHAM

Delivered on :25 May 2016

Delivered at : Perth

Finding of : Coroner Linton

Recommendations :N/A

Orders/Rules : N/A

Suppression Order : N/A

Summary : The deceased was very fit and had no known health problems at the time of his death. He followed an impressive daily fitness regime and was very health conscious and sober in his diet and habits. The deceased was engaged to be married and had plans to leave his job and move to Thailand with his fiancée. The deceased had been saving money with the intention of building a house in Thailand from which they would run a “home-stay” where guests could meditate, learn martial arts and Tai Chi and eat healthy cooking.

In 2014 the deceased travelled periodically to Christmas Island on a one month work deployment. He was close to his mother and spoke to her by telephone every couple of weeks. He last spoke with his mother halfway through his September deployment to Christmas Island. He sounded normal and spoke of hoping to have a look around the island.

The deceased was invited to attend a barbecue on 27 September 2014 but declined advising that he was going to Winifred Beach that day.

On 29 September 2014 the deceased did not attend work. He missed two scheduled appointments, however, as it was a designated public holiday it was not considered unusual for the deceased to take the day off work and no enquiries were made as to his whereabouts.

The deceased was scheduled to be replaced on the island by another employee and arrangements had been made to meet at the airport on 30 September 2014 where failed to keep that appointment and police were made aware that the deceased was missing and inquiries found that the deceased had not departed the island by sea or air and that he had not made any contact with his mother, fiancée or any friends or colleagues since Friday 26 September 2014 when he was last seen. He had also not accessed any of his bank accounts nor used his mobile telephone.

His vehicle was found locked and secure at Winifred Beach and snorkelling equipment was missing from the vehicle.

The coroner concluded there was no evidence to suggest that the deceased was suicidal or that he had met with foul play. Similarly, there was no evidence that the deceased had any reason to fake his own disappearance and create a new life for himself.

The coroner found that the deceased drove to Winifred Beach with the intention of doing some snorkelling and exploring more of Christmas Island before he left the island. The Coroner found that there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the deceased became lost and disoriented in the jungle or was washed out to sea, but that it was clear the deceased died.

The coroner found the deceased died on or about 27 September 2014 at or near Winifred Beach, Christmas Island and death occurred by misadventure. The Coroner was unable to find the cause of death and how the death occurred.